WASHINGTON (CNN) - The Rules and Bylaws Committee narrowly voted Saturday against a motion by panel member Alice Huffman to fully seat Florida's delegation, sparking chaos in the ballroom where the panel was meeting, before voting almost unanimously to seat the full delegation but halve its voting strength.

The crowd grew increasingly vocal during the vote over Huffman's motion, as many in the audience began shouting at the members of the committee, hissing and chanting "Denver! Denver!" the site of the Democratic National Convention this summer.

soundoff(282 Responses)

Hillary won Florida. She should get most of the delegates. I hope Floridians send a message to the DNC in November by not electing a Democrat as President.

May 31, 2008 07:37 pm at 7:37 pm |

terry

on to Denver, indeed! fight for right at the convention.

May 31, 2008 07:37 pm at 7:37 pm |

Lourdes

Shameful behavior on the part of Clinton supporters and Mr. Ickes, who used profanity on national television. This is her chief strategist; it should say a lot about how she plans on running the country.

May 31, 2008 07:43 pm at 7:43 pm |

oscar

i was not suprised by the uproar. the leopard must surely breed its semblance. Clinton and her campaign from the onset had been VERY DEMOCRRATIC.Her temperament, desperation,lies, ulterances and system of campaign had been the best to expect from a democractic president. i am happy for one thing- her presidentiial ambition had shown the type of person she is. the respect of her supporters for the party leaders was a credit to how decent and organize they are. I am only sorry for her daughter whom she has succeeded in ruining her political career. Let her go to Denver. Super delegates, the ball is in your court.

May 31, 2008 07:43 pm at 7:43 pm |

Jim, Indiana

Hillary will not accept to be ripped off and neither will voters in Florida! On to the convention!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

May 31, 2008 07:44 pm at 7:44 pm |

Kathleen M

That wasn't a compromise. That was stealing the votes from Florida. I am so glad Howard Ickes said that Hillary reserves the right to take it to the Convention.

Way to Go, Hillary!!!

Howard Dean, the DNC and now the Obama team will go down in history for stealing an election. Nice going DNC... you just threw the election and gave it to McCain.

May 31, 2008 07:47 pm at 7:47 pm |

simeon

I like the way Obama is letting his campaign staff and supporters handle the issue of the Florida and Michigan delegates,whilst Hillary Clinton and her supporters want to keep changing the rules.

I am amazed that Clinton and her supporters are still trying to maintain that she can be the nominee and win the general election. Come on, who is she kidding?!..Hillary Clinton with all her baggage, not to mention the flip-flops in her campaign"experience, gas tax, iraq, sexism" is going to unite the nation. Give me a break!!!

Obama all the way..even Rupert Murdoch can see that...

May 31, 2008 07:51 pm at 7:51 pm |

fadil from cameroon

what a deception for the clintons but these are the rules and the dnc decision should be respected, we have a lot of respect for bill clinton and family for what they have done for this country (usa) but h clinton s behavior is eroding all this respect and consideration worldwide; she should just accept the inevitable...it is all over. Unless Obama like R Kenndey...

May 31, 2008 07:53 pm at 7:53 pm |

Scott, Charlotte

The obnoxious and disruptive Clinton fans represent their candidate well.
P.S.–You lost again.

May 31, 2008 07:54 pm at 7:54 pm |

Jon

So next primary ALL the states will vote early and everyone will be seated with half a vote? Sheesh... if the democrats can't even stick to thier own rules and punishments, how can they be trusted to run the country? Pathetic.

May 31, 2008 07:54 pm at 7:54 pm |

s.b.

Take it to the floor Hill! Democracy means every vote counts, not just the ones you think are convenient. The DNC is up there with Mugabe and Zimbabwe today in its lack of respect for voters.

May 31, 2008 07:54 pm at 7:54 pm |

Ed, Santa Fe, NM

BYE BYE, HILLARY!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

May 31, 2008 07:54 pm at 7:54 pm |

Marty Ohio

Watched all day the same people that were crying about a supreme court taking away votes 8 years ago. Watched them do the same thing to the same people.

May 31, 2008 07:56 pm at 7:56 pm |

Valeriy Simonian

Changing rules at a middle of the game is wrong. That would create more problems for the party. Decision about Florida and Michigan was made already, and now new idea only because of Clinton ....Party rules not have to be in a somebody's favor. If the Committee just could tell: You, people, knew rules already and we will not change them just because you do not like the results.
That I can respect. But now demagogs used priviledge to speak by applying to the voters rights. Voters rights is a right to have fair process. Clinton at beginning agreed do not count votes and now changed her mind. Instead of showing her that is not a right way to be elected, party took risk to start correction own decision. That will impact democrats in a sudden and unexpected way.

May 31, 2008 07:56 pm at 7:56 pm |

Fonzi, an independent.

Electability is determined through votes not through rants and raves.
Enough of the temper tantrums from the Hillary supporters.

May 31, 2008 07:56 pm at 7:56 pm |

Mark

This is my prediction. Clinton will be running as an Independent. I watched the ending of today's DNC debate and all three votes and came away thinking it was a kangaroo court. The had a plan. How could anyone who did not have their name on the ballet win any committed delegates.

Anyway, I still do not know who to vote for, McCain, Obama, Hillary, Nadar or that other new republican who just entered. Guess I will not vote!

May 31, 2008 08:51 pm at 8:51 pm |

seah

Obama given more by default.

He said he didn't need florida.

May 31, 2008 08:52 pm at 8:52 pm |

Mobama

I am glad this is over now. While I agree that all votes should count. Why did it only matter to Clinton, when she fell behind in delegates???? She did sign an agreement like all the other candidates. She went to law school for Chis Sake. You sign an agreement and you stick to it.!!!! This is what really bothers me about her. We should all follow the rules in life. But she wants to change them, when it benefits her. I don't get that!!!!

The rules are the rules, but I feel sorry for Floridians because they can't catch a break from the tyranny of the Republican controlled state they live in. If the committee had restored their delegates fully, it would have been fair, but against the rules. Somehow though, it still would have been alright for them. Their own party leaders didn't arrogantly and defiantly break the rules like Michigans selfish leaders. Florida has my sympathy, but at least they will be represented.

May 31, 2008 08:52 pm at 8:52 pm |

Andre'

Why would you change the rules in the middle of a contest to give the losing opponent a better chance? I'm truly surprised by the democratic parties decision to go against itself, but then again I shouldn't........ Typical party behavior. There is to much disorganization.

May 31, 2008 08:54 pm at 8:54 pm |

Th3rdpwr

Hillary supporters, whether or not one believes Obama is "electable" in the GE, he has earned the right, per our system, to give it his best shot. Voters, and pundits, can speculate, but should have no power to preempt a candidate's opportunity especially when dictated by fear and cynicism.

May 31, 2008 08:55 pm at 8:55 pm |

Sherri

Whats new Florida always gets the shaft!

May 31, 2008 08:55 pm at 8:55 pm |

mello doug

Hillary and her supporters have just about made me decide to vote for McCain if Obama does not win. I hate dishonesty and trickery and all of the nasty stuff she is trying to pull. When it comes down to someone who will go out of their way to win at all cost, I for one do not want them in the White House. It would be just more years of GWB.

May 31, 2008 08:56 pm at 8:56 pm |

New York

That crowd were like wild animals that respected nothing and no one including HRC reprsentatives.They were a disgrace to themselves, to HRC and to the Democratic Party! This defintely reflected badly on Senator Clinton!

May 31, 2008 08:56 pm at 8:56 pm |

Towhappy

Well,

if we must go to denver, then so be it! He is the nominee and a floor vote will show just that.